Victorian employers faced $13.3 million in penalties for safety violations in 2024

Last year, Victorian employers encountered significant legal and financial repercussions for compromising worker safety, as WorkSafe achieved 119 successful prosecutions for health and safety violations and enforceable undertakings.

In 2024, courts levied a cumulative amount of $13,318,433 in fines, costs, and enforceable undertakings due to violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Dangerous Goods Act, with two defendants facing penalties exceeding $1 million each.

According to WorkSafe, the construction industry experienced the largest share of health and safety prosecutions, with 49 cases against employers, followed by 26 cases in the manufacturing sector, and 10 cases in the transport, postal, and warehousing industries.

There were 17 legal actions taken regarding unsafe machinery, with 14 of these cases focusing on the risk of crushing incidents involving objects, and 10 cases related to powered mobile equipment, including forklifts.

WorkSafe said five employers were legally pursued for incidents involving occupational violence, bullying, or harassment.

For more on this story, go to the WorkSafe Victoria website.